| State: | Colorado |
| Towns of Interest: (FB) = Firebreak | N/A |
| National Parks: | Mesa Verde National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve - not visiting Rocky Mountain National Park |
| State Parks of Interest: | Eleven Mile State Park |
| Places of Interest: (N) = Night Stay | Mesa Verde National Park (N) Balcony House Guided Ranger Tour Scenic Drive Durango (Restored downtown with gas lamps and victorian shops) San Juan Skyway (Route 550 from Durango to Silverton and then Silverton to Ouray) Silverton (The quaint streets are lined with historic relics) Ouray (Known as the Switzerland of America - known for the hot springs) Black Canyon National Park (Nx2) South Rim Visitor Center Drive Along the South Rim Road (This 7-mile drive has 12 overlooks to test your fear of heights. A lot of the overlooks do require walking a short trail but nothing difficult. If you’re limited on time, be sure to check out Pulpit Rock, Painted Wall, and Sunset View) Explore the Inner Canyon East Portal Road (gives you access to the river. Keep in mind that it is extremely steep (16% grades) with hairpin turns. They don’t allow vehicles over 22 ft) Warner Point Nature Trail (although the hike itself wasn’t exciting, the views at the end were worth it) Sunset View (enjoy the sun going down. It’s probably the best spot for photos) Salida (Historic town - downtown historic district with many gallaries, bars, restaurants and unique stores) Collegiate Peaks Overlook (Above the Arkanas River Valley, view looks west) Driving Route 24 Eleven Mile State Park (Impressive views and mountain ranges which take in several areas) (N) Georgetown (Historic mining town) Route 119 (View of Mount Evans, passed enterance to Golden Gate Canyon State Park and a view of Downtown Dever) Brainyard Recreation Area (Two looking glass lakes - short paved trail to Long Lake Trailhead where thre is splendid views of peak haloed by clouds) Long Peak Trainhead (1.5 hour round trip to hike to the summit with great views of the central Rockies) Estes Park (popular recreational center with an aerial tram to Propspect Mountain summit for panoramic views) (N) Rocky Mountain National Park Park Headquarters (Information on the National Park) Deer Ridge Junction (start of the legendary Trail Ridge Road - 48 mile route rises 12,000 feet, meandering for 11 miles across tundra that looks like Alaska) Many Parks Curve (Panoramas of the park) Forest Canyon Overlook (Overlook high above the Forest Canyon) Lava Cliffs Overlook (View of the Volcanic ash desposited 26 million years ago) Alpine Visitor Center (National Park Visitors Center) Fairview Curve (An overlook with amazing views of the Kawuneeche Valley) Grand Lake (Colorado's largest natural lakes) (N) Tabernash (Remarkable views of the peaks of the Continental Divide) Winter Park (One of Colorado's most popular ski resorts) Berthoud Pass (Reowned mountain road - white-knuckled curves and stunning views) Rimrock Drive and Colorado National Monument (One of the grandest scenic drives in the American West, the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive offers redrock canyons, crisp blue skies, and glorious views along the way for motorists and bicyclists. The road is inseparable from the identity of the Monument. The drive provides access to Saddlehorn Visitor Center and campground, 19 signed viewpoints, and 14 hiking trails — from ½ to 14 miles round trip. Many short, easy trails allow you to gaze upon or walk up to towering masses, while backcountry trails head down into remote canyons full of bird song and solitude) (N) |
| Routes of Interest: | 23-mile Rimrock Drive (One of the grandest scenic drives in the American West) Berthoud Pass (Route 40 - Gerogetown through the Rockies) Route 119 (Up to the Rockies) Route 24 San Juan Skyway (Route 550 from Durango to Silverton and then from Silverton and Ouray (known as Million Dollar Highway) |
| Where to Stay: | Mesa Verde Morefield Campground and Village ($30) - 267 which very rarely fills Black Canyon South Rim ($16) - can be reserved with electric, 88 sites North Rim ($16) - no reservation, 13 sites East Portal ($8) - no reservation, 5 sites Eleven Mile State Park State Park Camping ($18)Estes Park Estes Park KO ($41 with no hook ups) Grand Lake Elk Creep Campground and RV park ($32 - cabins are $59) Winding river Resort ($37) Green Ridge Park Service Campsite ($21) Rimrock Drive Saddlehorn Campground ($20) - you can book 6 months in advanced or FCFS |
| Useful Links: | http://www.colorado.com/articles/7-day-colorado-family-road-trip |
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